Saturday, April 7, 2012

Yuck it sucks. Naturally. So this guy with a smile smoother than silk tells two of his ilk, “You langoors, have my angoors.” There’s much to-do about teri leli and phati for that double entendre titillation. And above all there’s this classic line, “Your brains have piles, or what?”

What indeed! Sajid Khan’s Housefull 2 also gets into sandaas, burps, stinks and sour belches. Truly this purported situational comedy relies so much on toilet humour that it’s likely to leave your tummy rumbling. Sorry this isn’t cinema, here’s just another execrable, knockabout farce hacked out by a director who may score a hit, and then trot out half a dozen interviews, guffawing, 'Who cares about the critics?' with the shallow addendum, “I make movies for the masses.” Yeah right, good luck Mr. Khan with your mission:*2#*!

Like the mindless potty-pourris of David Dhawan of yore (please don’t make a blasphemous comparison to Manmohan Desai), Khan cares a damn for the story material, good taste, editing and sound. As for the visuals, they are either blotchy or the colour of street ice golas. Ugh.

Women are showcased as bouncy dimbettes from the outset, what with two female animal activists, barging into a London circus. How the two Lipstick Lassies bicker about who should get the credit for talking in Hindi to blue-eyed Britons. In fact, it would seem that the Queen’s City has been entirely colonised by Indians. Presumably, the Brits have been taking Hindi language tutorials to fit into an NRI-controlled economy. How’s that for wishful thinking?

Anyway, so there you are in horrendously photographed London, trying to make sense of the warfare between two Kapoor brother (Randhir-Rishi Kapoor). Senior Kapoor is the illegitimate son of a rather feeble-looking white statue, while the other K shouts out loud about his pure pedigree. Both believe they will score over the other by finding a groom for those anti-circus daughters from the Hinduja, Mittal or JD families. Haiiiinh?

Of these, Forbes lists JD in his lungi kurta as the Man of the Year (Mithun Chakraborty, ha ha). Shhhhh, don’t tell anyone but this JD is actually Jagga Daku, a dacoit who went straight and made pots of pounds, shilling and pence. Now he shampooes a spotted white horse every morning and woe betide, tolerates a running commentary on nothing in particular from his flunkey Johnny Lever. By now, you’re fed up, running a fever.

Next: it’s all quite foggy actually, except that during a matchmaking session with an old man wearing furry ear muffs, is insulted by one of the Kapoors. Ear Muffs lands in hospital. His son (Shreyas Talpade, the only decent actor on the scene vows vengeance). As your lousy luck would have it, Ear Muffs Jr’s best friend and collaborator in the vendetta plan is none other than JD’s only son (Riteish Deshmukh). Complicated? You bet. After reels and reels of yelling and screaming, the Daku’s stately manor is packed with con guys (Akshay Kumar-John Abraham) who’re trying to make out with only the screenplay-alone knows which girl (Asin, Jacqueline Ferandes, Shazahn Padamsee and Make-up Galore). At one point, all their photos are pinned on a board just in case you’re lost. Or you’re down on your knees begging for mercy. Yipes.

More: tolerate if you can, a crocodile who needs a quick-fix dentist, a python who’s referred to as Francis Ford Sappola and an entire farcical section set on a desert island, to recreate a bit of the Kaho Na Pyaar Hai flavour. In vain. Much more: Item empress Malaika Arora-Khan shows up to tantalise Mithun Chakraborty and Boman Irani, who suddenly drops in from the high heavens. Is Mithunda or apro Boman her prime choice? Perhaps that’ll be revelead in Lousefull 3. Shudder.

Flaunting the attitude that his film – or whatever – is brazenly asinine, Khan even seems to believe that the mention of the Mumbai suburb, Bhandup, is rib-tickingly funny. Ditto the smatterings of Marathi and Sindhi. Oldtimer Ranjit fetches up to play the part of Daddy Th-e-rapist. And frequently when Rishi Kapoor is in frame, the background music tinkers around with themes from the great RK films. Oof.

No one’s performance is likely to be remembered. Correction: Chunky Panday as a Mr Pasta is so nerve-wracking that you might need to be on medication immediately. Riteish Deshmukh either hams or apes Shah Ruk Khan. Desi boyz Akshay Kumar and John Abraham are stale as yesterday’s Shepherd’s pie.

Enough is enough. Over to Mr Khan for his mandatory, “I don’t make movies to get good reviews.” Sure. He just makes bad movies. Period.

The release date of Ishaqzaade, starring Parineeti Chopra and newcomer Arjun Kapoor, has been advanced from May 18 to May 11, resulting in a clash with Dangerous Ishq. The decision to release the romance drama a week earlier came in after much thought by production company Yash Raj Films (YRF).

"With 'Ferrari ki Sawaari' moving to a later date and the IPL (Indian Premier League) crunch matches starting from May 18, this shift will give 'Ishaqzaade' a better window for release," said a statement from YRF.

The movie tells the story of two fiery characters and their fight for power and supremacy.

Written and directed by Habib Faisal of Do Dooni Chaar fame, the film narrate how two people who are born to hate, and destined to love, come face-to-face with each other.

With the shift in release date, "Ishaqzaade" will clash with Vikram Bhatt's Dangerous Ishq, which marks the comeback of Karisma Kapoor to Bollywood after five years.

A love story and a doomed ship that have out-sailed time …Titanic 3D enthrals with its blend of spectacular visuals and old-fashioned melodrama

“Are you ready to go back to Titanic,” was the question treasure hunter Brock Lovett asked a 100-year-old Rose, over 15 years ago, when the film first hit the screens.

Were she alive today, Rose would have recalled, “It's been a 100 years... I can still smell the fresh paint. The china had never been used. The sheets had never been slept in...”

The real Titanic sank exactly a 100 years ago, on April 15, 1912.

Such is the magic of cinema. It almost makes us believe that Jack and Rose really lived, loved and made every moment count on board the Titanic.

And we can say the same thing Rose says about James Cameron's film today: “How extraordinary. It looks the same as the last time I saw it. The reflection has changed a bit.” Because, it's in 3D this time.

Cameron fought hard to bring his painstakingly-detailed passion project alive on the big screen fighting all kinds of pressure — mounting budgets, studio's reservation about the length and the mind-boggling logistical nature of the mammoth production. He not only told the studio he would forfeit his remuneration, he even refused to give in to pressure to cut one full hour from its 194 minutes run-time. “If you have to cut my film, you have to fire me. And to fire me, you'll have to kill me.”

Everyone had written it off and Cameron found himself in the shoes of Jack at the poker game at the beginning of the film. “When you got nothin', you got nothin' to lose.”

Cameron wasn't hoping for luck. He believed in it, like its villain Cal Hockley said: “I make my own luck.”

His Titanic turned out to be the ship of dreams that didn't sink. It went on to break all kinds of records and continues to be the film that has sold more tickets than any other film in the history of cinema. And still sells, given the house-full shows it opened to on Friday.

It was like being on sail once again, inside the doomed ship. Nostalgic, special, inexplicably beautiful and magical.

Like Rose described Picasso: “It's like being inside a dream or something. There's truth but no logic.”

Titanic is full of lines you will never forget. They weren't the best written lines and Cameron himself wished he had written it better. But the truth is that no other film of our times packs as many memorable quotes as Titanic does.

“I'm the king of the world,” probably being the most popular of them all, associated with Cameron's acceptance speech at the Oscars. Titanic went on to win 11 out of the 14 Oscar nominations, a whopping harvest.

So what is it about Titanic that everybody loves?

Spectacularly beautiful and epic in scale, the film just used all that was great about its production as a mere backdrop for the love story that gave the film its heart. Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet shared a terrific chemistry and the erotically charged frames made it impossible for us to not appreciate the sheer beauty of this forbidden romance between the engaged rich girl and the poor artist boy.

Jack stood for free spirit: “I got everything I need right here with me. I got air in my lungs, a few blank sheets of paper. I mean, I love waking up in the morning not knowing what's gonna happen or, who I'm gonna meet, where I'm gonna wind up.” And Rose loved that freedom.

It's a dynamic with timeless appeal. The more modern, materialistic and busy we get making a living, we have the Jacks remind us about the basics of living a life. “Make every moment count.”

How can you not love a love story that celebrates the selflessness of love. “You jump, I jump, remember?”

It's a finale that chokes us every time we see it. The proof that love can keep us afloat even when there are people dying all around us. We must survive so that we can make the most of our lives. I was far away from any movie theatre showing Titanic when it released and remember watching it at a video parlour in Manipal. I have caught it many times since on TV. But nothing, I repeat nothing, matches the impact it leaves when you watch the epic unfold on the big screen. If you still haven't got yourself a ticket, do it.

Plus, you don't have to worry about crying your eyes out in public at the beautifully tragic sight of the Titanic drowning theatres anymore.

Friday, April 6, 2012

Derhadun, April 6
The speculation regarding increasing the number of seats in city-based Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) and not enhancing the strength of faculty members from the next academic session has created concern among alumni and former faculty members. However, highly placed sources allayed the apprehensions, saying that with the increase in the number of seats, the faculty strength and related manpower, too, would be raised.

Former Commandant, Arun Mamgai, who earned laurels for running RIMC for the longest period of eight years, said: “As we are hearing that the number of seats is going to be increased from 250 to 500 in RIMC and the faculty strength would remain static, which means the quality of the education, a hallmark of RIMC, would certainly take a severe beating. It would be very unfortunate if it happens so.”

Col JS Shekhawat, alumnus, who had been secretary of RIMC Alumni Association, said the way the new structures were springing up in the open expanse of RIMC, the space was bound to shrink, which would tell upon the splendor of this institute and reduce the area for the playground or other sporting or leisure activities. Highly-placed sources in the RIMC, on the condition of anonymity, informed that the proposal regarding increasing the seats in RIMC had been approved by the Ministry of Defence (MOD). It is now working out last-minute financial modalities and other intricacies to remove the rough ends before finalising the proposal. It was assured that an ideal student and teacher ratio would be maintained in the new set-up as well with the equitable increase in the faculty members. At present, there are 20 teachers and one doctor in the RIMC for 250 students.

Acording to sources, in rest of then four RIMCs operating in the country, the number of seats is 300. Owing to this, the proposal had lately been making rounds to increase the number of seats in this institute as well. Now with approval from the MOD, the proposal will be cleared for the next academic session in year 2013. However, it was told that it will take a period of five years to fully implement this proposal, as the institute does not have the required infrastructure to meet the demands of the enhanced strength of students, teachers and manpower. So new dormitories, dinning hall and related infrastructure will be raised in due time. It is after full preparation that the admission for the additional seats would be initiated. To address the apprehension regarding shrinking of space, the sources said the requisite space such as of playgrounds, courts or fields would not be touched but the places which are not used much would be roped in for construction of new buildings.

Mussoorie, April 6
Tourists availing of the opportunity of an extended weekend due to two national holidays falling this week made a beeline for the Queen of Hills today to escape the soaring temperatures being witnessed in the plains of north India, bringing cheer on the faces of local businessmen.

Mahavir Jayanti on Thursday and Good Friday before the weekend have led tourists to rush to the cool climes of Mussoorie since yesterday.

A tourist from Patiala, Ravinder Singh Mann, while speaking to The Tribune, said due to the two holidays before the weekend they thought to take a four-day break from their usual busy schedule.

The elated local businessmen said they would be benefited financially by the heavy rush of tourists that would end on Easter Sunday.

The cable car on Gun Hill that had remained non-functional till a few days ago was also upgraded and it started functioning much to the delight of the tourists, who were interested in having a panoramic view of the Himalayas and the Dun valley from Gun Hill.

However, the rush of tourists also brought with it problems galore, as the town witnessed traffic jams at several places due to the lack of parking spaces. Commuters were stuck at several points on the Mussoorie-Dehradun highway as the road had been dug for the sewerage project.

Roop Chand Sharma, another tourist, said the tariffs of hotels, which were nominal till yesterday, had skyrocketed in just one night. The hotel room rates were beyond their budget and they were forced to cut short their trip.

The guesthouses were also renting rooms for a day or two at high rates. Some residential flats having no licence were also seen accommodating hapless tourists looking for rooms in the town.

Spokesperson for the Mussoorie Hotel Association Sandeep Sahni told The Tribune that most of the hoteliers were charging the rates displayed at the hotels, as the association had forewarned them sternly against overcharging tourists. He said the tourists could book rooms online or through telephone to avoid any disappointment later.

Officials of the local administration said they were on the vigil along with the police and had directed the hoteliers to display room rates at their receptions for the convenience of the tourists.

The tourists had been advised that in case of any complaint they could approach the police and the administration. The Municipal Council, the Jal Sansthan and the Health Department also put their act together as the last minute repair of public toilets, sewerage and the road was on till the filing of the report.

The rush for four days before the peak tourist season would also be a litmus test for various departments and allow them to overcome any shortcomings likely to emerge later.

At Balaji dham situated at Hari Lok, a religious function was organised today which also marked the 14th year of the completion of the temple.

A beautiful royal procession (shobha yatra) was taken out in the city that started from Pull Jatwada passing through inner lanes of Sarafa Bazaar, Kathaira Bazaar, Police-rail chowki, Peeth Bazaar, Chauhanan and finally reached at Hari Lok.

Religious guru Chhote Maharaj highlighted the importance of Lord Hanuman, his teachings and life.

The Shri Balaji Kamdhenu Dharmik Sewa Trust managed the whole proceedings with musical renditions of bhajans being done on the temple premise till late night.

At Salasar temple, Shri Tulsi Manas Mandir, Tibdi Hanuman Mandir, Jwalapur, BHEL, Mayapur, Devpura, Bhoopatwala, Sapt Sarovar and various other temples, a special puja was performed with prasad was destributed.

From the wee hours of the morning, devotees from around the state and neighbuoring states began to throng the ghats and till evening, influx of devotees is being visible.

Devotees offered Ganga water to Sun God, performed a special puja on the auspicious Poornima.

Meanwhile, the Christian community commemorated Good Friday today, with Reformed Presbyterian church at Devpura, BHEL, and St Mary organising special prayers to remember the sacrifice of Lord Jesus for humanity.

A large number of people visited churches, remembering the crucifixion of Lord Jesus with church bishop giving religious discourses.

DEHRADUN: Hanuman Jyanti was celebrated with fervour and enthusiasm in Dehradun today.

A large number of devotees thronged various Hanuman temples in the city to pay their obeisance. A large number of people also participated in a shoba yatra that was also taken out in the city which passed through various parts of the city.

Various scences from the life of Lord Hanuman were depicted in jhankis that formed part of the Shobha Yatra.

Dehradun, April 6
A chaos-like situation prevails at Doon Hospital due to the shortage of nurses. The nurses on duty are being forced to do double shifts and if the situation persists, the authorities may not be able to operate new units as planned.

The hospital has now requisitioned to the Health Department its requirement for at least 20 nurses to run the newly built neurosurgery unit.

An equal number of ward boys will also be required to get the unit going.

“Our problem has become more acute after eight nurses were relieved for undertaking studies in BSc (nursing). Further the contract of four nurses was not renewed by the department. A few nurses are on maternity leave. Besides, we will need 20 nurses to run the neurosurgery operation theatre that is being readied,” said Dr BC Pathak, Principal Superintendent, Doon Hospital. Once the operation theatre for neurosurgery becomes operational, Doon Hospital will have to provide round-the-clock services of nurses in addition to the ENT operation theatre, orthopaedic operation theatre and general operation theatre.

Last year, Doon Hospital had gone ahead and made operational ICU requiring one nurse per bed.

In contrivance of the Indian Nursing Council norms, the hospital authorities entrusted one nurse with the responsibility of two beds.

The problem is expected to further intensify once the authorities begin setting up separate units for diabetic patients, which the hospital plans to set up in the future. “The patients suffering from lifestyle diseases require specialised care. Unless we overcome the shortage of nurses, it will be difficult to run new units,” said Dr DP Joshi, general secretary, Provincial Medical and Health Services, Uttarakhand.

While the acute shortage of nurses calls for immediate hiring, the last hiring of nurses through the State Public Service Commission was done in 2010 .

“We are aware of the problem being faced by the hospital due to the shortage of nurses. For now we can only hire nurses on a contractual basis and we are looking into the matter,” said Dr Geeta Joshi, Additional Director (medical care).

Haridwar, April 6
On the 32nd Foundation Day of the BJP today, party leaders here vowed to work hard to ensure that the party returned to power at the Centre in the 2014 parliamentary elections.

Former Urban Development Minister and three-time MLA Madan Kaushik presided over a special function held at the party office at Devpura here. Kaushik said on this day in 1980 the BJP was formed out of the Jan Sangh. The party reached its pinnacle in 1998 when under Atal Bihari Vajpayee it formed the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre.

Kaushik also highlighted the role of Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee in paving the way for the formation for the BJP. “Mukherjee was Minister for Industry in the interim government led by Jawaharlal Nehru but resigned from the Cabinet on the issue of the Liyakat Pact. He later formed the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1951. Deen Dayal Upadhyay, whose organisation skills were unmatched, was the moving spirit of the Jan Sangh. Both Mukherjee and Upadhyaya laid the foundation stone of the BJP, which is one of the largest parties in the country today,” said Kaushik.

Vikas Tiwari of the BJP youth wing urged young party activists to follow the high level of discipline and work for the party.

Haridwar, April 6
With a lone Cabinet portfolio being vacant in the Vijay Bahuguna-led Congress state government, the demand for creating the post of Deputy Chief Minister by the anti-Bahuguna faction seems to be getting intensified.

In Haridwar, pro-Rudraprayag legislator Harak Singh Rawat supporters have now started a routine agitation to press for their leader to be appointed as the Deputy CM.

Terming themselves as the loyal Congress activists, these supporters say that in view of the interests of the state as well as the party, it is imminent to have a Deputy CM post which will ensure smooth working of the state government.

Addressing these activists after a march, senior Congress leader Sanjay Chopra pointed out that Rawat deserved the honour owing to his political experience and mass popularity among people.

“Rawat became Cabinet Minister 20 years ago in the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet, served in various capacities in the Assembly, became leader of the Opposition during the last Assembly and won the most awaited contest from the Rudraprayag Assembly seat despite hailing from other district (Pauri),” said Chopra.

Another pro-Rawat leader Bhoopendra Rajput said its time that he be made the Deputy CM as Vijay Bahuguna would also get major relief by this.

Harish Rawat loyalist, city Congress chief OP Chauhan, though added that by not creating the Deputy CM post, the state government was only inviting more factionalism. He said the party high command should consider this aspect as with leaders like Harish Rawat and Harak Singh Rawat at the helm of affairs along with Vijay Bahuguna, the government would be able to provide development and sail through the stipulated five year tenure.

This open demand of making Harak Singh Rawat the Deputy CM has, however, not gone down well with some veteran party leaders and those close to Bahuguna. Many of them have even written to the party high command to not bow down to this demand again as it seems the anti-Vijay Bahuguna faction is not concerned with the party discipline.

PCC member Braham Swaroop Brahamchari commented that the party discipline was foremost as personal interests should never come before ones duty.

Around 37,000 micro, small and medium enterprises will benefit from the Public Procurement Policy for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) notified by the Central government recently.

The policy makes it mandatory for all Central government departments and public sector undertakings to achieve an annual target of sourcing at least 20 per cent (by value) of their total annual procurement of goods and services from MSMEs within three years. One fifth of this target is to be procured from the enterprises owned by the SC and the ST. The policy recognises the coming of age of the MSMEs, both quality and quantity wise. “We have been long advocating for this policy and despite pressure from corporate houses, who are bent upon snatching the basic rights of the MSMEs, the government has prevailed upon them,” said Pankaj Gupta, president of the Industries Association of Uttarakhand.

In Uttarakhand, some of the MSMEs manufacture light machinery goods, ancillary goods and even medicines. Earlier, around 5 to 6 per cent of the goods were sourced from the MSMEs and the raising of the limit to 20 per cent was expected to provide a huge market for the goods manufactured by these enterprises.

Pithoragarh, April 6
To get a good rabi crop and remain healthy and prosperous throughout the year, villagers of Lohaghat and Pithoragarh areas took part in the traditional Chaitola festival to receive the blessing of the local deities. The festival began on April 1.

More than 30,000 devotees participated in the Chaitola festival in the Lohaghat area of Champawat district on the sixth day of the festival today. “The local deity, Chamu, is carried to all villages of the Gumdesh area of Lohaghat subdivision in a palanquin, as, according to legends, Chamu was the original settler on this fertile land, which was occupied till then by some man-eating ‘rakshasas’. The diety eliminated the ‘rakshasas’ to make way for his people to settle there,” said Jagat Singh, a devotee of Chamu deity at Baskuni village in the Gumdesh area of Lohaghat subdivision.

The yatra of the deity began from Mad village and reached Baskuni village after passing through Pulla , Pokhari, Jindi and Sirkot villages, where a large number of youths in marshal attire followed the palanquin to get a chance to carry it on their shoulders. “The deity in response blessed them with prosperity and good crop,” said Jagat Singh. There is a belief that the youths get their wishes fulfilled by touching the palanquin of the deity.

In the villages of the Soor valley in Pithoragarh district the festival, which began today, is celebrated for two days. The palanquin of the deity, Bhumia, began from Bin village and after passing through 22 villages of the valley would be brought at the temple of the deity in Chaisar village. “The villages are said to be part of the land which was at first brought under cultivation by the ancestor of the local people, who is now worshiped as deity Bhumia,” said priest Chandra Shekhar Bhatt.

“The villages where the palanquin cannot reach, an umbrella symbolising the deity is carried and the devotees worship it after observing fast for the day.

Bhumia, which is considered a follower of Lord Shiva, gives blessings for a good crop and prosperity to the devotees in all 22 villages,” said the priest.

Dehradun, April 6
After facing drubbing in the recently concluded Assembly poll in the state, the Uttarakhand Raksha Morcha has formed three teams that will visit the state to strengthen the party organisation.

Presiding over a meeting in Dehradun today, Uttarakhand Raksha Morcha president Lt-Gen TPS Rawat (retd) said the team visiting the Kumaon region of the state will be headed by Shailraj Bahuguna whereas Rajendra Bhandari will be heading the team slated to visit the Garhwal region. Further, Mohan Singh Rawat will lead the morcha’s team to Haridwar. These teams will take feedback from grassroot-level party workers and submit a report to the party high command.

TPS Rawat also announced the appointment of 15 observers for various districts in the state that would work towards re-constitution of party organisation at city and block levels. Among those appointed include Ganesh Negi, who has been appointed observer for Pauri, Rajendra Singh Negi for Chamoli, Arjun Singh Garhwal for Rudraprayag, Vipin Chandra Bhatt for Almora, PC Thapliyal for Dehradun Rural and Ratan Singh Gunsola has been appointed observer for Tehri district.

Rishikesh, April 5
With the summer season peaking and the annual examinations of schools over, suddenly a huge rush of tourists is being witnessed at the rafting terrain along the Ganga river in Rishikesh.

Such is the rush that the whole rafting route from Kaudiyala-Shivpuri to Muni-Ki-Reti is abuzz with colourful rafts and enthusiastic rafters.

Not only is the river route witnessing congestion but also the Rishikesh-Sringar Garhwal-Badrinath highway stretch till Kaudiyala is witnessing traffic jams as rafting companies' vehicles fetching rafts and tourists are plying in large numbers to and from on this route.

If this is any indication, then in the coming days in later part of this month, when the world-famous Char Dham pilgrimage yatra of Shri Badrinath, Shri Kedarnath ,Yamunotri and Gangotri shrines along with Hemkund Sahib gets started, then one can imagine the huge rush on this route.

In the past couple of years a large number of rafting tour agencies have mushroomed in this area that is one of the finest rafting routes in the whole country,often regarded as a paradise for rafters.

Notably, the 36-km stretch from Kaudiyala to Rishikesh has more than 30 camping sites with a levelled flow of Ganga water making it quite safe and convenient for rafting experience. Not only domestic but a large number of foreign tourists also throng this rafting zone, which is closed during monsoon season as the water level and flow is quite high during this period.

As this is the peak season for the rafting business, tourist flow is bound to increase here, which the administration should ensure proper facilitie.

Meanwhile, the Forest Department has started a drive in this rafting zone to ensure that no illegal rafting or activity takes place in this forest area. Forest Inspector Rakesh Chand told TNS that impromptu drives are being carried out to check rafts without number plates being sailed in the river.

He added that in the past, too, several rafts were seized and many rafting operators tried to ply non- registered rafts to escape various taxes.

Anirudh Rawat, a rafting agency owner at Tapovan, who has been into this business for the past five years, said that taking into account the huge rush being witnessed this season, they are expecting record turnout of adventure-loving tourists.

While Deepak Bhatt of Rafting Association said that they are already getting bookings and inquiries in bulk, particularly from corporates, educational institutes and foreign firms for which they are acquiring new rafts and equipment to meet the demand.

Dehradun, April 5
For strengthening the economic condition of India and contributing to the field of social work, Shri Mahant Devendra Das of Guru Ram Rai Darbar will be honored with the Asia Pacific International Award on May 18 at Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Informing about the award, Prof VA Bourai, Principal, SGRR PG College, said, “We are delighted with the thoughtful gesture of the Global Achievers Foundation that will honour Mahant ji with the award.”

In his message, Devendra Das said that the award which he would receive was the result of support and cooperation of his subordinates, teachers, staff and students.

Dehradun, April 5
Doon Tiger won by 3 wickets against Malik Sports (Red) team in the 4th Uttarakhand Cricket Cup match here today.

Electing to bat after winning the toss, Malik Sports (Red) scored a total of 187 runs losing all its wickets in the process. Sawan scored 38 runs whereas Manoj contributed valuable 36 runs. Rest of Malik Sports (Red) batsmen failed to perform. Om Singh of Doon Tiger took 3 wickets in his 7-over spell that included two maiden overs.

Chasing the victory target, Doon Tiger team easily scored 190 runs for 7 wickets, thereby ensuring 3 wickets win for itself. Sanjeev scored the highest 90 runs. As of Malik Sports (Red) bowling, Ramesh, Joginder and Sanjay took 2 wickets each but that could not ensure the victory for the team.

Dehradun, April 5
In a daylong All-India Handloom Weavers’ Conference organised at the National Handloom Expo 2012, insurance companies laid emphasis on seeking maximum benefit from the comprehensive welfare schemes set up by the Uttarakhand Handloom and Handicraft Development Council (UHHDC).

Expressing his concern over the less number of enrollments of weavers for the life insurance coverage, Dr PS Gosain, Director (Industries), Uttarakhand, said, “Less number of weavers are availing the life insurance scheme provided by the Government of India. The insurance scheme for weavers is a small investment plan, which can be availed by the enrolled members with the maximum coverage. For additional benefits, an associated scheme of education scholarship is also given to handloom weavers along with the credit cards scheme,” he added.

However, for medical claim, handloom weavers can get a membership card as a premium amount of the policy that accredits four family members of the weaver, owing them the limited amount for operations, treatments and medicines as per the requirement. The Centre as well as the state government has also contributed in the coverage amount of the insured policy.

More than 100 weavers and artisans from 12 states attended the convention and got clarifications on their doubts by experts and personnel of the department.

Apart from this, SC Nautiyal, Additional Director (Industry), Uttarakhand, spoke on providing maximum benefit for the development of the handloom sector through group insurance schemes. “The council, in association with the Government of India, is aiming at formulating multiple training centres for converting raw fabric materials into the end product. Forming of clusters and local groups, providing equipments, raw material, training, emporiums to display and a marketing team get relevant value for their work in a most effective manner,” said Nautiyal.

Weavers from the local handloom clusters and from other states like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Punjab, Bihar, Rajasthan, Haryana, Orissa and Assam attended the convention.

Dehradun, April 5
On the 54 founder's day celebrations, the children residing at Raphael presented a scintillating cultural programme. The Garhwali dance and yoga performance by the inmates of the home left the audience spellbound.

Speaking on the occasion Chief Secretary Subash Kumar lauded the efforts of Raphael in providing care to the underprivileged and the needy. "The example set by the home is worth emulating. It was several years ago that this institute was set up for the leprosy and TB patients, today it caters to the needs of persons with multi-disabilities," he said.

In his welcome address, Chairman Raphael, Air Marshal BD Jayal (retd) stressed on the need to set up a strong partnership between the private and the government, "Together we can ameliorate the suffering of the needy and the poor," he said . He also mentioned about the 29 bronze medals won under the International Award for the young (IAY) programmes

Air Marshal Jayal also traced the history of Raphael and highlighted the multifaceted activities in which Raphael is engaged. He recounted the contribution made by the founders Lady Ryder and Lord Cheshire and its erstwhile Chairman, late Major General Ranbir Bakshi.

The inmates of the home had put up different stalls depicting different activities carried out at Raphael under the aegis of a Special Education Wing.

Dehradun, April 5
Three persons were killed while four others were injured when a utility vehicle (UA 07 E 4733) on way to Bhaitalkhal from Lambgaon fell into a gorge on the Lambgaon-Bijpur Paniala road this morning.

The deceased have been identified as Vinod Singh (26), Rajendra Singh (36) and Virenda Singh (35). The injured were taken to New Tehri hospital, from where two of them have been referred to Dehradun. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna has expressed grief over the mishap. He has prayed for the peace of the departed souls and also a speedy recovery of the injured.

Dehradun, April 5
Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education’s Director General VK Bahuguna today visited Shyampur village to witness the activities of Bagwan Gramodhyog Samiti, an NGO working in the field of rural employment generation through self-help groups.

The office-bearers of the samiti briefed the team about the activities being carried out by the samiti in the villages. Dr Bahuguna appreciated the activities of the samiti and held that latest research findings of the ICFRE institutes should be used by such NGOs to promote the rural development in the villages.

Bahuguna took the opportunity to disclose that a scheme will be launched with the help of the samiti to promote self-employment generation activities such as mushroom farming, vermicompost, bakery and farming of Manduwa. He also held that the NGO should concentrate on income generation along with health improvement of the communities.

Dehradun, April 5
Uttar Pradesh will give Rs 1,000 crore to Uttarakhand as part of pension arrears. Further, UP will also transfer 21 hectares of land on the Delhi-Haridwar National Highway 58.

This was agreed at a meeting between Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna and UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav held at Lucknow today. In a half-an hour meeting, the two decided to solve the long pending issue of pension arrears. It was agreed that UP would provide Rs 1000 crore to Uttarakhand as part of pension arrears. This payment will be done through instalments.

Both Chief Ministers also decided to transfer prisoners. While those of UP in Uttarakhand jails will be shifted to their state, similarly, the prisoners of Uttarakhand in UP too will be sent to the hill state. This will help family members of the prisoners who have to travel long distances to meet them.

Following the request of UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, it was decided that Uttarakhand will leave adequate water for the Ganga to ensure enough availability of water.

The meeting also decided to hold a Chief Secretary-level meeting to decide on other pending issues. It was also decided to hold a joint meeting of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi and work for a collective workplan for tourism development.

Dehradun April 5
Satpal Maharaj, Pauri Garhwal MP, updated Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna about the stir that had started at HNB Garhwal University, while students and the staff continued their strike demanding the dismissal of the varsity's Vice Chancellor from the post for his alleged involvement in the fraudulent process of administrative work.

Maharaj told Bahuguna that while he was on his tour to Garhwal, members of the Uttarakhand Vishwavidhyalaya Bachao Sangharsh Samiti shared their grievances with him and exhorted for his assistance in the issue.

According to Satpal Maharaj, "Bahuguna listened to the matter carefully and was of the positive opinion. He has invited protesters to come and discuss the issue with him for a conducive conclusion to their agitation."

The protesters have alleged the involvement of HNB Garhwal University's Vice Chancellor, Professor S K Singh in the fraudulent appointment against the vacant five posts of Assistant Registrars and Public Relation Officer, retrospective sessions of B.Ed. courses, forged marks sheets of a professor along with the irregularities in the admit cards and mark sheets of students.

Haridwar, April 5
At the 13th All-India Astrologers' Convention, which commenced today at Kankhal, Haridwar, astrologers from from around the country mooted the demand for having a specialised astrology university in the country where authentic study of this age-old subject is imparted to the students.

Being held at Shri Maharshi Parashar Jyotish Research Centre, the two-day convention is witnessing astrologers from different states of the country as well as from host Uttarakhand.

Astrologers are dwelling upon the ways to make astrology closer to the people as well as add to it the scientific-arithmetic aspect as it is not a mere a guessing art but is derived from scriptures of Vedas.

Noted astrologer Pandit Vipin Kumar Parashar, in his address, put forth the demand of having a separate astrology university that caters to development of this art in India as well as globally. To this all the participating delegates agreed, and in view of delay in this process, decided to form a private astrology university in Haridwar only.

He also predicted the various events that will be of importance politically,socially and nitty-gritties of the ongoing Hindu New Year (Vikram Samvat 2069).

Pandit Sumit Mishra, Sub Editor of renowned astrology annual book ‘Ganga Panchang’ pointed to the cheap publicity methods being used by many fake astrologers to gain personal mileage and earn money.

He said that this is doing harm to the astrologers who have laboured hard for years to gain this knowledge. This is also damaging the art of astrology more.

Various other veteran astrologers also condemned making of astrology a business or fooling people by creating pre-enacted television advertisements where talk is not of art of astrology but more of the charisma of the so-called astrologers, who portray themselves as key to all the problems.

The convention primarily dwelled on five topics namely - how will this year be for the whole country, impact of the sun on planet earth, why astrological methods fail sometimes, impact of celestial positions and how to draw common man closer to astrology so as to remove his problems and guide him towards religion, morality, work ethics and salvation.

On the sidelines of the convention, free ‘kundli’ analysis is being done by participating astrologers, drawing people in large numbers.

Tomorrow, on the concluding day, Vinod Giri Maharaj of Siddeshwar Temple, will launch a new edition of annual astrology book ‘Ganga Panchang,’ which is compiled by a team of renowned astrologers.

Dehradun, April 5
Seeking abolition of excise and custom duties, jewellers in Uttarakhand continued with their protests today.

Jewellers from all over Uttarakhand gathered at Dehradun and staged a maha rally. The rallyists criss- crossed over all prominent roads of Dehradun before culminating their rally at the district headquarters office.

The rallyists rented the air with anti-Union Finance Minister slogans. They alleged that imposition of excise and custom duties on jewellers was totally unacceptable and would be opposed tooth and nail.

Mussoorie, April 5
A group of 22 Tibetan students and teachers from three institutions in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh visited Woodstock School organic farm in Mussoorie under the second leg of a10-day eco-study tour today.

The eco-study tour is jointly organised by Winterline Nature Trust and the Tibetan Children’s Village (TCV) School in Selakui, Dehradun, which has provided more than half the participating students.

Under the programme the team spent a half-day at Woodstock School, well-known for its progressive eco-programmes.

The Tibetan students began their Woodstock visit with an in-depth interaction with KLEEN (keeping landour environment and ecology natural), an organisation that is involved with processing and segregating non-biodegradable waste in their recycling shed near Dhobi Ghat. Following that, the team moved on to the Woodstock School’s three-tier composting pits and the Turner Organic Farm.

The senior outdoor educator and a key leader of the school’s eco-initiatives at Woodstock, Darab Nagarwalla, educated the students about the turner organic farm and how it has grown since it's inception a couple of years back. He also said that the organic fertiliser produced here is used in the gardens of the school, thus ensuring the effective use of the recycled waste produced in the school premises here.

Nagarwalla, speaking to The tribune, said: “It is always a pleasure to receive our Tibetan visitors, and particularly so since all the schools on this visit are aggressively moving from eco-theory to eco-practice. I myself visited Sambhota Tibetan School in Paonta Sahib and was delighted to see their eco-progress. We at Woodstock certainly do not claim to have a copyright on eco-knowledge and are

more than happy to share it with other students so that they also carry forward what they have learnt here”. The team will also visit Tehri Dam and other sites in the area before moving on to Rajaji

National Park and Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary, along with Jhillmil Jheel Conservation Reserve, the Gujjar resettlement village in Gaindikhatta and other spots of ecological significance.

Nainital, April 5
A reunion of former students of the 1961 batch of Sherwood College was held here today.

Many eminent personalities, including filmstar Kabir Bedi and Ajitabh Bachchan, younger brother of Amitabh Bachchan along with others arrived here.

Talking to mediapersons, Kabir Bedi and Ajitabh bachchan recalled their student days in the prestigious college.

“It is a memorable event to catch up with old school friends and emotions could not be described in words," commented Kabir Bedi. Many events have been lined up in the school in the two-day reunion event.

Nainital, April 5
Several parts of the hilly terrain in Kumaon are reeling under water crisis. A large number of water schemes and handpumps lying dysfunctional have added to the woes of the common people, particularly those residing in the rural areas.

The worst affected districts with regard to water scarcity are Almora, Bageshwar and Pithoragarh.

According to sources areas like Paparseli, Kasar Devi, Khatyadi, Dhaula Devi, Danya, Bhainsiyacheena, Takula, Salt, Dwarahat and Bhikiyasain are facing major problems on account of the handpumps lying dysfunctional. People say that that there are around 200 handpumps in these areas that are not functioning and water continues to be a mirage for the people residing in such villages. The women in these villages are having a tough time fetching water from the natural sources where, too, the flow is reducing as the summers set in.

Officials of the Jal Sansthan say that efforts are on to get the handpumps repaired and the task would be completed soon. The district authorities had recently chalked out a blueprint to deal with the water scarcity in the district. As per the plan, arrangements are being put in place to supply water by tankers and even mules.

In case of Bageshwar, the worst affected areas continue to be Bangchyuri and Jethai villages. Reports appearing in the local media suggest that the people are being compelled to fetch drinking water from as far as 2.5 kilometres.

The villagers say that the Painsiya-Jethai-Bangchyuri water scheme has been lying shut for more than a year. The villagers had recently met the District Magistrate on the issue seeking its revival. At the same time they have also demanded an early completion of the Sary-Jethai scheme the proposal for which has been submitted under the Sextor Wide Area Approach (SWAP) scheme.

The people say that they have to make a beeline at the water sources right from four in the morning. They have pointed that they are unable to provide enough water to the domestic animals which is causing a lot of problems.

In Pithoragarh district, the district administration has set up a control room to address the water woes. New proposals have been sent to the state administration for upgrading the old schemes and starting new ones to meet the water requirements of the district.

Chandigarh, April 6
The Punjab government today placed under suspension the services of Bhola Singh Brar, Industries and District Mining Officer, Ropar and Mohali, for his alleged failure to check rampant illegal mining of sand and gravel.

Ludhiana Industries and District Mining Officer Vishav Bandhu has been transferred in Brar’s place.

The action has been taken following an exposure of large-scale illegal mining of minor minerals in the river beds of the Sutlej and Suar in Ropar district. Principal Secretary, Industries, AR Talwar, confirmed Brar’s suspension on the charges of dereliction of duty and for his failure to check illegal mining.

The mining officer of Mandi Gobindgarh, Mukesh Khanna, has been transferred to Ludhiana.

Following the publication of the news report in these columns, the Ropar administration, led by Deputy Comnmissioner GK Singh and SSP JS Aulakh got into action and over the past four days, they have been surveying the area and booked all those involved in the illegal mining.

The district administration has registered over 50 FIRs against those involved in the illegal mining, booked as many people, besides sealing 52 stone crushers that have come up in Ropar district without the requisite permission from the state government and for involvement in crushing of gravel lifted from the river bed and other places that have not been categorised as legal quarries.

The Tribune, in its issue dated April 2, had highlighted how the “mining mafia” has set up more than 20 new crushers in two villages of Agampur and Suhara in Ropar district along the Sutlej. More than 600 trucks ferry sand and gravel from these two illegal mining sites daily, doing business worth more than Rs 4.5 crore a day. The illegal miners also pay “royalty” to their political bosses in order to carry on their clandestine operations.